Nutritional Status and Health Habit of College Students by Body Mass Index

수도권 남녀대학신입생의 체질량지수에 따른 건강행동과 영양상태

It is important for young adults to establish good dietary behavior for healthy life. The prevalence of obesity in college students has increased gradually. The obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems in S. Korea. Moreover, obesity is closely related with the disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health practice, serum components and nutrient intake of the college students according to Body Mass Index (BMI) level. 400 male and female freshmen students in 4 year university located near to Seoul metropolitan area were surveyed respectively through the health check-up procedure for college entrance in February. Survey was carried out for them by questionnaires, including a 24-hour dietary recall and anthropometric measurements. Blood samples were obtained while fasting. Nutrient intake was expressed by DDS(Dietary Diversity Score by 5 food groups) and DVS(Dietary Variety Score). Nutrition level was analyzed by Can-Pro (Korea Nutrition Association). And for the quantity intake, percentage ratio against daily requirement(by KDRIs) and MAR(Mean Adequacy Ratio) were calculated. Underweight group($BMI<18.5kg/m^2$), normal weight group($18.5) and overweight group($BMI<23.0 kg/m^2$) were 18.5%, 61.2% and 19.3% respectively. Nutrient intake levels and food intake status were not significantly different among three groups. The mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was not significantly different by BMI status. Nutrient intakes of calcium, iron, and riboflavin were especially low for all the students. Overweight group showed high blood pressure(120.9/79.3 mmHg) compared with the underweight group (116.4/ 75.8mmHg) but the difference was not significant. The serum triglyceride level in overweight group (94,0mg%) was higher than that in normal (70.9mg%) or underweight group(70.8mg%)(p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol level in overweight (43.8 mg%) group was not significantly different from that in underweight group (45.9mg%). BMI was positively correlated with blood pressure, hemoglobin, and the intake of total fat and cholesterol. But it was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol level. With these results overweight group is closely related with the cardiovascular disease risks, such as high blood pressure and high triglycerides and cholesterol. Thus, a health intervention program including weight control is required for young adults.